Calibrated two-arm sprinkler



Nov. 13, 1951 c. H. KOEPPEL 1 2,574,874

CALIBRATED TWO-ARM SPRINKLER Filed March 17, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 INVENTOR ,5 Chdrles H. Koep oel TORNEY Patented Nov. 13, 1951 UNITED S TAT ES PATENT- GALIBRATED TWO-ARM SPRINKLER Charles H. Koeppel; North Woodbury, Conn, as-- 'signor to Scovill Manufacturing Company,

Waterbury (lonnala corporationiof. Connecticut.

7 Application March. 17, 1950,.Serial No, 150,316

2Glaims. (Cl. 299-69)- This invention relates to lawn sprinklersanfi more particularly to sprinklers of thetypehaving. a plurality of radially extending arms each terminating in a head with an adjustable nozzle:

It is desirable in sprinklers of this type to provide for easy adjustment to distribute the water over circular areas of varying size; and it isimportant to have the water distributed uniformly over such area.

More particularly my invention contemplates a two-arm. sprinkler with a nozzle at the end of each arm which can be readily adjusted to distribute the w-ater uniformly overa circular area as desired between feet and50 feet-in diameter;

The general object of theinvention isto provide an improved sprinkler of the above character which can be adjusted-by an unskilled person with the aid of simple indicia to accomplish the above desirable results.

Preferably, this improved result is accomplished by a single simple adjustment varying the amount of waterflowing from each nozzle.- One desirable result accomplished by myimproved sprinkler is to reduce the rate of flow when adjusted to sprinkle the smaller areasto prevent flooding. The angles of the nozzles with reference to the radial arms are fixed and are in such relation to the arms and to each other that thes will-not only determine the'distancethat thewater is thrown in the proper manner but theywill also regulate properly the'speedof rotation ofthe sprinkler head in the varying positions ofadjustment. It is desirable, for example, to retard the speed of rotation when the water is tobe thrown the greatest distance. When the nozzle which is intended tothrow the water the greatest distance the rotating head. The tangential nozzle is utilized to sprinkle by itself a smaller area up to 10 feet in diameter and the acute anglenozzleis utilized at variousopeningsto-sprinkle an outer area from 20- feet to 50 feet indiameter. Also the tangential nozzle adjusted to a further opened position assists in spreading the water up to a 20- foot diameter area in which position it remains even though the acute angle nozzleis ada'usted to distribute the watenovera 50-foot area.

The propelling force for rotating the sprinkler head is derived; principally from thetangential nozzle, the reaction of which-is uniform-whenset todistribute water oven-a 20-foot diameter.- The fixed angle of the-acuteanglenozzle-is such that its reaction is opposed to the rotation of the sprinkler headso that upon increasedflow of water therefrom the speedof rotation tends to be retarded;

I-- have found also that to accomplish the above results in the bestmannerit isdesirable to have one on more-small holes located in thesprinkler arm carrying the acuteangle nozzle, first to'get a sufficient amount of water to the innermost areaand second to provide an additional constantrotating force. i

Now assuming; that the same valve size is used for both nozzles, it is important for the purposes of -my invention that the desired axial movement of the controlling member be obtained within lessthana completerevolution and yet therotative movement must. be great enough. for any desired position as to space suitably-the desired calibrations; forexample, 1 0 feet, 20 feet,v 30: feet, 40 feetzand 50feet.

l? have accomplished this by providing on the tangential nozzle a single thread which will permit sufficient opening of the valve tospray up to a 20* foot area with a movement less than one complete turn, while on the acute angle nozzle, which must have-a much greater axial movement to'discharge a greater volume of water; I employ a double thread-*which will keep the calibrations within one complete revolution and I provide the desired spacing for easymar-king;

It is desirable in the combination of angles and nozzle openings to reduce the bearing friction to a minimum becausethe rotative speed is regulated by the ad-justment'of'the nozzles themselves and accordingly I use a ballbearing-- to carry the thrust load ofthewater in the sprinkler head and a sealing washer which will have a minimum brakin'geifect.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the: following detailed: description in conjunction-with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1" isa top plan view of the rotary head of the sprinkler and a portion of the supportingbase with the nozzles set to cover a 10 foot area.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the same, with parts in section to show interior construction. 7

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the sprinkler head, the view taken along the line 3-3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the tangential or drive nozzle showing the indicia layout in a fiat plane.

Fig. 5 is a similar view to Fig. 4 of the opposed or acute angle nozzle.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the head support spindle.

Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic view showing the area of coverage by the sprinkler at a 10 foot setting.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the two nozzles adjusted for a 10 foot setting.

Fig. 9 is a side view of the nozzles for the same setting with an associated sketch showing the relative amount of rotation.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view area of coverage by the sprinkler at a 20 foot setting.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the two nozzles adjusted for the 20 foot setting.

Fig. 1 2 is a side view of the nozzle for the same setting with an associated sketch showing the relative amount of rotation.

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view showing the area of coverage by the sprinkler at a 40 foot setting.

Fig. 14 is a section view of the opposed or acute angle nozzle adjusted for a 40 foot setting, and

Fig. 15 is a side view of the same nozzle.

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, the numeral l designates a standard having a supporting base ll capable of being slid over the surface of a lawn. The standard It] is provided with a lateral hollow boss l2 to which is swivelly connected a coupling nut 13 as by means of a spud I4 threaded into the hollow boss l2. The coupling l3 serves to connect the sprinkler to a garden hose in the conventional manner.

Projecting upwardly from the standard is a hollow spindle 15, the upper end of which has opposed cut-away or skived portions IS. The skived portions I6 are of a depth suflicient to intercept the hollow part of spindle and provide for lateral openings [1 that will allow water passage into a sprinkler head l8.

The sprinkler head [8 consists of a hub 19 having rotatable engagement upon the spindle l and held in place by means of a sleeve 20 threadedly engaged to said hub [9. The lower end of the sleeve is provided with an inturned flange 2i and the intermediate part of the spindle I5 is provided with an outwardly extending circumferential shoulder 22. Between the flange 2| and shoulder 22 is a ball bearing race 23 that serves to take the upward thrust of the rotary head when the sprinkler is operating. To prevent downward leakage of the water, a sealing washer 24 is provided in a suitable recess in the spindle I5 above the shoulder 22 and engages with the interior surface of the hub [9.

In order to rotatably support the head [8 upon the spindle 15 a support post 25 extends axially upwardly from said spindle and is formed with a recess 25 in its upper extremity to receive a' single ball bearing 21. The interior hollow porswag the an adjustable nozzle member, both nozzles being inclined upwardly about 37 degrees to the horizontal plane of the arms. One of these nozzles is set at right angles to the axis of its support arm 30 and for convenience sake will be designated as the tangential or drive nozzle A. The other nozzle will be known as the acute angle or opposed nozzle B and is set about degrees from the axis of its support arm 3i as viewed from the top as in Fig. 1. The axial positions of these nozzle members A and B are set in permanent relationship to the axes of the arms and cannot be twisted relative thereto.

Considering in more detail the construction of the nozzles A and B, the end of arm 30 is provided with an angular fitting 32 for supporting the drive nozzle A, and an angular fitting 33 is provided on the end of the opposite arm 3| for suption of the head [8 is also provided with a similar a pair of hollow tubular arms 30 and 3|. The 2' outer end of each of these arms is provided with porting the acute angle nozzle B. The angular fitting 32 is constructed to position the nozzle A so that the nozzle will project about 3'7 degrees upward from the horizontal plane of the arm 30 and substantially at right angles to the axis of said arm. The angular fitting 33 disposes the axis of the opposed nozzle B at 3'7 degrees upward from the horizontal plane and about 15 degrees from the vertical plane of the arm 3| and on the same side of the vertical plane as said drive nozzle A.

Reference is made to Fig. 8 for a comparative study of the two nozzles A and B. Considering first drive nozzle A, this nozzle consists of a hollow stem 35 threadedly engaged into the fitting 32 and held there in place by a lock nut 36. An intermediate portion of the stem 35 is formed with an enlarged threaded section 31 to which is adjustably connected a hand manipulated sleeve 38. The outer end of the stem 35 is provided with the usual form of conical valve 39 cooperating with the valve seat in a discharge orifice 40 in the end of the sleeve 38 to shut off and also vary the'character and amount of the fluid dispersion by adjusting said sleeve 38 lengthwise of the stem 35. The threaded section 3'! on the stem 35 is preferably a single thread of the order of 18 'I'. P. I. so that the lead of each thread will be about .055.

The acute angle nozzle B is quite similar in construction to the drive nozzle A consisting of a hollow stem 4! adapted to have threaded engagement into the end fitting 33 and held there in place by a lock nut 42. This nozzle B also includes a hand manipulated sleeve 43 threadedly'engaged to the stem 4! and have a discharge orifice 44 cooperating with a valve seat 45 on said stem to shut off and also control the water fiow. The difference in construction of nozzle B and nozzle A is that the enlarged thread section 46 of the stem 4| has a double thread of the order of 20 T. P. I. so that the lead of each thread will be about .100 of an inch for reasons as will appear later.

It will be noted from Figs. 1 and 2 that the left arm 30 is of slightly greater length than the arm 3|. This slight difference in length of the two arms is necessary in order to support the mass weight or center of gravity of the nozzles A and B at substantially equal distances from the sprinkler axis and locate said nozzle in properly balance relationship to the rotary head I8.

In order to properly set the nozzles A and B to cover predetermined areas one end of the nozzle sleeve 38 on nozzle A is provided with an embossed section 41 on which is printed line indicia indicating a setting 10 and another indicating reading 20 to 50. This setting indicia is adapted to line up with an arrow mark 48 imprinted on the top surface of the angular fitting 32 (see Fig. 1). The opposed nozzle B is also provided with an embossed section 49 on which is imprinted line indicia indicating various setting of to 50 inclusive in multiples of ten and are adapted to line up with an arrow mark 50 on the fitting 33.

When using this sprinkler the nozzles A and 13 must be adjusted to specific calibrations on the nozzles to determine the size of the area to be sprinkled. When it is desired to sprinkle a ten foot area, the 10 indicium on nozzle A is set in line with the arrow mark 48 on fitting 32 and the nozzle B is also set with its "10 indicium on the arrow mark 50 on the fitting 33. In this setting, to provide for a ten foot area to be sprinkled, when the nozzle B is set at 10 said nozzle is completely shut off and the ten foot area is sprinkled mainly through the nozzle A. In view of the fact that in this setting there is a reaction force only through the nozzle A, pressure is relieved in the opposite arm 3| by one or more relatively small discharge openings 5| pierced through an angular recess 52 formed inwardly of the arm 31 on the opposite side of the arm axes from which the nozzle A projects. These small discharge openings 5| may supplement the reaction force of nozzle A and also serve to sprinkle the area immediately adjacent the sprinkler unit. As noted in Fig. 9 when the nozzle A is adjusted to the ten foot setting the sleeve 38 is rotated through an arc of 277 degrees from the closed position to give the desired nozzle opening of about .043. As explained above, the nozzle B on the setting 10 is in a completely closed position.

For sprinkling an area greater than a ten foot diameter, the nozzle A is set at the to 50 indicia, by lining up said indicia with the arrow mark 48, and the nozzle B may be set at 20, 30, 40 or 50 feet indicia as determined by the area that is desired to be sprinkled.

Figs. 11 and 12 show specifically the nozzles as they appear when set for covering a 20 foot area. In setting the nozzle A on the 20 to 50 indicia the sleeve 38 is rotated about 49 degrees from its previous setting and still less than 360 from the off position, thus opening the nozzle about .007" more. The nozzle B when opened to the 20 foot indicium is accomplished by rotating the sleeve 156 degrees from the 10 foot setting and opening the nozzle above .043.

In increasing the area to be sprinkled beyond the 20 foot range only the nozzle B is adjusted. As shown in Fig. 9, when nozzle 3 is set for a foot range the sleeve 43 is rotated 59 degrees from the 20 foot setting, opening the nozzle another .0165". For 40 foot setting as shown in Figs. 13, 14 and 15, the sleeve 43 is rotated an added 31 degrees and opening an extra .010. For the maximum setting of a 50 foot area the sleeve 43 is rotated an extra 51 degrees and the nozzle will be opened an added .014".

It will be evident from a study of the angular rotation sketches in Fig. 9, that in opening the nozzle A its fullest extent, the sleeve 38 is rotated 326 degrees and the valve orifice is opened about .050". The nozzle B when opened to its fullest extent, the sleeve 43 is rotated 303 degrees and the valve orifice is opened about .0835". It will be noted that in rotating the nozzles A and B approximately the same number of degrees, the nozzle B will be opened about twice the amount of nozzle A, which is due to the double thread construction in nozzle B as compared to the single thread construction in nozzle A. Obviously the greater the discharge opening in nozzle B, the water discharge will tend to be in the form of a stream in order to extend its range of coverage. Thus the desired nozzle openings are obtained well within one complete turn while in each case the angular differences to provide the desired nozzle openings are large enough to give room for easily legible markings.

While the form of the invention herewith shown and described embraces a preferred embodiment of the same it is to be understood'that the construction may be varied as to mechanical details without departing from the spirit of invention and the scope of what is claimed.

I claim:

1. A sprinkler comprising a base having a hollow post, a head rotatable on said post, a pair of conduit arms extending laterally from said head in opposite directions, a driving nozzle permanently fixed to the outer end of one arm and extending at an upward angle in a plane tangent to the path of rotation of the outer end of such arm whereupon the reaction of water issuing from said nozzle rotates said head and arms, a second nozzle fixed permanently to the end of the other arm and set at an acute angle from the axis of its supportin arm as viewed from the top and directed to the same side of the arm axis as said first nozzle so that water issuing from the second nozzle retards the rotation of the head caused by said first nozzle, the fixed angle of said second nozzle also being in an upward direction, one of the said arms having a supplemental discharge opening positioned so that water issuing therefrom will assist said rotation, each of said nozzles having means to adjust the volume of water issuing therefrom, and markings carried b said adjusting means to indicate the size of the area to be sprinkled by various settings of said adjusting means.

2. A sprinkler as defined in the preceding claim wherein each of said nozzles has a hollow stem connecting with its hollow arm and a sleeve having threaded engagement with the stem, similar valve means between the stems and heads, said second nozzle having a double thread whereas said first nozzle has a single thread whereby the opening of the second nozzle within substantially a complete revolution will be greater than the opening of said first nozzle.

CHARLES H. KOEPPEL REFERENCE S CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,639,389 Todd Aug. 16, 1927 1,685,165 Keys Sept. 25, 1928 1,704,610 Jaden Nov. 5, 1929 1,911,381 Nelson May 30, 1933 2,202,349 Lewis May 28, 1940 2,335,332 Wright Nov. 30, 1943 2,431,103 Wadsworth May 27, 1947 2,473,933 Zielinski June 21, 1949 2,522,928 Carroll Sept. 19, 1950 

